Chapter 57

After finishing the entire plate, Lennox cleared the table.

“Coco, shall we just stay in bed today?”

“I didn’t see you that way, but you…….”

“Oh. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting anything from the morning.”

Lennox, showing both palms as if to claim innocence, suddenly added.

“If you want to, though, I’m fine with it.”

It felt like he had dug his own grave. Harriet, her eyes wide, belatedly pushed Lennox’s shoulders as he climbed on top of her.

“Get off.”

“Why so shy? I’ve already seen everything last night. Besides.”

“Besides?”

“Who do you think washed and changed you when you fainted?”

“…”

Harriet was at a loss for words, her face turning as red as a beet. Watching her lips move like a fish, Lennox’s eyes softened.

“Honestly, it wasn’t enough. You fainted halfway through, and I was left wanting more.”

Harriet blinked in disbelief.

“Do you even have a conscience?”

“What did I do?”

“Do you know how much you tormented me last night…?”

Even as she spoke, she couldn’t believe it. Last night, Lennox Diorne was not human. He was almost pure male instinct. She was so exhausted that she begged him to stop.

“Hearing such compliments makes me shy.”

“It’s not a compliment! Get off!”

Two days in a row, and in broad daylight, was too much. Harriet, regaining her senses, struggled and managed to escape from beneath him. But as soon as her legs hit the floor, they gave out.

“Coco.”

Lennox lifted her as if she were a princess and placed her on the couch. Then he knelt on the carpet and clasped his hands on her knees.

“What can I get for you, Madam?”

His posture was one of submission, yet it blocked any retreat. Harriet, who had been contemplating work, changed her mind. It was clear she wouldn’t be able to concentrate with him around.

“I should read a book.”

“The one you were reading last time?”

“Yes.”

Lennox, who had stood up, rang the bell by the fireplace. However, the maid who should have come running didn’t appear.

“What’s going on?”

“I’ll go check.”

Leaving a puzzled Harriet behind, Lennox opened the door just as the butler, who had been standing there, gasped for breath.

“What is it?”

Sensing something unusual, Lennox’s expression hardened. The butler handed over the newspaper with a grave face.

“This morning’s newspaper…”

Lennox took the newspaper and lowered his gaze to read it, muttering softly.

“…Damn it.”

<Vanetti Family’s Shocking Private Life Revealed!>

<The Secret of Harriet Coco Vanetti’s Birth?>

The newspaper was filled with sensational articles, all targeting one woman.

* * *

As soon as the article was published, rumors spread like wildfire. Everyone in the social circle talked about Harriet, and countless eyes turned toward the Diorne Ducal Mansion.

The main topic of conversation was when Lennox Diorne would cast aside his wife.

“No matter how prestigious the Vanetti family is, there’s a limit… To deceive the mighty Diorne family like this. It’s unbelievable.”

“Who doesn’t agree? From the start, I didn’t like how she was involved in business like a man, despite being a woman. I suspected something was off, and indeed, you can’t hide a vulgar lineage.”

“I heard her mother was an unknown actress from the Sainter Theatre Company? If she seduced the Earl Vanetti, who had a wife, to have a child, you can imagine what kind of woman she was.”

“Right. Did you hear? Mikhail Chasselot has returned.”

“What? Sir Chasselot is back? Why?”

“The reason must be Marianne Chasselot. Something must have happened at the Vanetti Estate. It might even be related to Harriet…”

“My goodness, how frightening!”

“Did you hear everything…!”

“Calm down, Aaron.”

Just as Aaron was about to intervene, unable to listen any longer, Yvonne, who was holding his arm, quietly stopped him.

Everywhere they went, it was all about Harriet. Even during a brief walk in the park, it was the same. People didn’t recognize them under their hats, and as they passed by, they continued to gossip about Harriet.

“But, Yvonne.”

“If you react like this, it’s like throwing them bait. The more you act unfazed, the sooner they’ll find it boring and let it go.”

Yvonne continued to calm her agitated young lover.

“More than anything, the one having the hardest time right now is the senior. She doesn’t show it, but I know.”

They had spent years together. Harriet pretended to be fine, returning to the department store and showing her face in public, but she was struggling. People threw unfriendly glances, and strangers spat on the ground upon seeing her.

Each time, Harriet was the one to stop her from speaking out.

“Senior! Are you going to let them do that?”

“I don’t care what they do. They don’t know me well.”

“But!”

“As long as the people I love, and who love me, don’t act that way, nothing else matters.”

“Senior…”

“Rumors will eventually be buried by other rumors. I’m fine.”

Harriet’s profile, as she said this, was surprisingly calm and composed. While Yvonne admired her composure, her heart ached. Aaron, having barely calmed down, nodded reluctantly. His face became increasingly blurred.

“I’ve thought about it, and perhaps it’s best not to mention our relationship for the time being?”

“That might be for the best…”

Nodding, Yvonne suddenly stopped. Aaron, who had followed her lead, looked at her quietly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Rumors will be buried by other rumors…”

“What?”

“But news of a relationship isn’t enough…”

Yvonne, habitually biting her nails, suddenly raised her head.

“Aaron, how about we get married?”

“W-what did you say?”

Aaron, caught off guard by the unexpected proposal, asked again. Yvonne, ignoring his expression, grabbed her lover’s hand with sparkling eyes.

“Even though it’s in the countryside, my family is the wealthiest and noblest there, so Father will approve. He’s always liked you.”

“But……. Is this something to discuss while walking? And with my sister’s situation like this…….”

“That’s why we should get married.”

Yvonne concluded with determination.

“Trust your sister… No…”

“Yvonne?”

“Do you trust me, Aaron?”

Blushing at her close face, Aaron nodded involuntarily. Yvonne smiled triumphantly.

***

Lennox massaged his aching temples and looked at the people seated to his left and right.

“This is absolutely unacceptable, Your Grace!”

The elders of the ducal family, seated on the left, unanimously demanded Harriet’s expulsion.

“This marriage must be annulled immediately!”

“Indeed. This is a fraudulent marriage. Even if we claim it null and void, it will be accepted.”

“We cannot accept an illegitimate child as the Duchess!”

The harsh words were countered by the retainers seated on the right.

“Illegitimate child? Watch your language! Do you know who you’re talking about?”

“Isn’t it the truth?”

“That’s right. If an heir to the Ducal family were to come from that womb…….”

“Silence!”

Listening to the bickering, Lennox finally slammed the table at the crossing line.

“What are you saying about my wife? Do you know who you’re speaking about?”

“Well, that’s…….”

“But Your Grace…”

He was a young head of the family, always calm and composed. The elders, taken aback by his fury, exchanged glances and swallowed their words.

“And you, Uncle.”

Though he was the head and pinnacle of the family, they were the ones who had supported the Ducal family for decades with loyalty. Lennox, barely holding back severe curses, quietly stared at his uncle, seated in the second-highest seat.

“What is your opinion, Uncle?”

It was Eiden who had suddenly shown him a portrait last time. Lennox knew the person in the portrait was Harriet’s biological mother. Eiden must have noticed his agitation. But even if he wanted to question him, there was no evidence. Even if he found evidence and questioned him, nothing would change.

“Your Grace, this is not a family matter but a matter of the Ducal family. Therefore, I believe the position of Duchess should go to someone suitable.”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

Predictably, Lennox coldly smiled and added.

“Then, do you have someone in mind for the next Duchess?”

“Yes, I do.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Eiden replied with a smirk. Lennox let out a breath of disbelief and chuckled.

“Who is it?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

In the silence, a fierce power struggle unfolded. No one dared to breathe, and the sound of the grandfather clock marking noon cut through the stillness.

“It’s time. Let’s end it here for today.”

Eiden was the first to speak.

“May I leave, Your Grace?”

“Yes… Please do, Uncle.”

As soon as Lennox nodded, Eiden rose and left the meeting room. The elders, who had individually greeted Lennox, followed Eiden out in a rush.

What remained were the retainers seated on the right. The young ones who had just taken over. They were still weak in power compared to the older elders, as their contributions were not yet significant. Lennox had gradually recruited them, making half of them his allies.

“What will you do now, Your Grace?”

Anton, who had been silently standing by, quietly asked.

“We must somehow turn this crisis into an opportunity.”

A headache loomed. While Lennox took out a cigar, the retainers eagerly spoke up.

“We are always on your side, Your Grace.”

“If you need any help, just say the word.”

“Thank you.”

Lennox smiled and signaled to Anton. Anton, who had been waiting, briefly left and returned with documents, handing them to the retainers.

“This is…”

Lennox, exhaling deeply, stubbed out the cigar in the ashtray. Resting his elbows on the table, he clasped his hands.

“These are the bribery and embezzlement suspicions of each elder. We have suspicions but no evidence. Therefore, I entrust it to you.”

“To us…?”

“Yes. I like capable people. Those who demonstrate their abilities will be kept close and used well.”

In other words, it was a competition. The young retainers exchanged glances, excited by their youthful vigor. Amused by the tense atmosphere, Lennox stood up.

“I’ll give you a fortnight. The one who proves their ability most outstandingly will be rewarded accordingly.”